Keystone to Superior: A Road Trip Guide

This route traces the 450-mile journey from Keystone, South Dakota, nestled in the Black Hills, to Superior, Wisconsin, on the western tip of Lake Superior. The drive is largely on I-90 and US-53, with the Missouri River crossing near Chamberlain and the rolling plains of eastern South Dakota and Minnesota as the landscape steadily transitions.

The route gains over 1,000 feet in elevation as you head east, yet the steepest climbs are minor. The drive takes about 7 hours of pure driving time, but plan for a full day with stops to stretch and explore.

The biggest driving hazards are deer crossings at dawn and dusk, particularly in Minnesota, and sudden mountain thunderstorms in the Black Hills. Always wear seat belts, and be aware that South Dakota has a 'zero tolerance' for alcohol with a .08 BAC limit.

Families will find many stops. In Mitchell, the Corn Palace is a quirky attraction, and in Albert Lea, the Big Island Adventure Park offers a ropes course and zip line. For kids, the best stop is probably the Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings, which has a hands-on water exhibit.

For fatigue management, plan to stop every 2 hours or 150 miles. The route has several well-maintained rest areas, like the one near the Blue Earth monument (the Jolly Green Giant statue) just off I-90. That rest area has picnic areas and a visitor center.

Pet-friendly considerations: Most rest stops allow leashed pets, but state parks require them on a leash. There are few fenced dog parks along the route, but the one in La Crosse, WI (Pet Friendly) is a good place to let your dog run off-leash. If you need a vet, the Animal Medical Center in Eau Claire (715-835-8230) is a full-service clinic.

I-90 offers a smooth, well-maintained highway for most of the journey, except for a section through the Minnesota River valley near Blue Earth where road repairs are common. The final leg to Superior uses US-53 north from Eau Claire through dense forest.

• Fuel economy: Your vehicle will achieve about 5% better mileage on the flat plains than in the Black Hills, but the average gas price along the route is typically $3.50 per gallon, with cheaper options near Sioux Falls.
• Tolls: There are no tolls on this entire route.
• Road conditions: In winter, I-90 can close due to blizzards, especially between Mitchell and Albert Lea. Check weather forecasts before departing.

The route intersects the Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI, but you will cross it earlier if taking US-61 through Dubuque; however, the main I-90 corridor crosses the river at the Minnesota/Wisconsin border near La Crescent.

Rest areas are plentiful every 30-40 miles, offering picnic tables and restrooms, but few have food service. For a reliable stop, exit at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village (Mile Marker 332) for a cultural break.

The Black Hills rise abruptly from the prairie, and leaving Keystone, the granite spires of Mount Rushmore and the Needles give way to pine forests and then open grasslands. By the time you cross the Missouri River at Chamberlain, the classic 'Middle America' scenery begins: immense cornfields and soy fields stretching to the horizon.

how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities When planning your stops, consider that the landscape is dotted with small towns that thrive on agriculture and tourism. For example, Murdo, SD, is home to the Pioneer Auto Show, a private collection of 300 vintage cars, and a remarkably good local diner attached to the museum.

In Minnesota, the landscape becomes more rolling with mixed hardwood forests. The city of Worthington is known for its annual King Turkey Day, a festival celebrating the poultry industry. The local bakery, the Sandford, has been operating since 1922 and is a great stop for a coffee and a pastry.

North of Eau Claire, the forests thicken with birch and pine, and you'll begin to see signs for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, a 1.5-million-acre expanse. Near Superior, the St. Louis River estuary is a unique freshwater ecosystem, and the Barkers Island Marina offers a scenic spot to view the lake.